Coin collector



Aug. 27, 1957 B. IWEMA COIN COLLECTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 3,1954 lNl ENTOR .5. lWEMA ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1957 IW 2,804,502

' com COLLECTOR Filed Feb. 3, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m/vavroe B. /WMA MQMAug. 27, 1957 B. lWEMA 2,804,502

COIN COLLECTOR Filed Feb. 3, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

A T TORNEV Aug. 27, 1957 B. IWEMA COIN COLLECTOR Filed Feb. 3, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 4 DIAL PULSE v g 5 SPRINGS CONMCTS CLOSE WHEN DEPOS/TED cCONTACTS OPEN WHEN D/ME C CLOSE WHEN RECEIVER IS REMOVED T AAA VVV COINr0 RELAY CENTRAL D U OFF/CE c /S DEPOS/TED APPL/OUE RELAY INVENTOR B./WEMA f MYRM M WA} ATTORNEY COlN COLLECTOR Bernard lwema, Cicero, Ill.,assignor to American Telephone and Telegraph Company, a corporation ofNew York Application February 3, 1954, Serial No. 407,981

6 Claims. (Cl. 1796.5)

This invention relates to coin collectors for telephone pay stations ofthe prepayment type and more particularly to an applique coin gauge unitintended to be used in place of the standard three denomination coingauge.

One object of the invention is the provision of a coin gauge unitwherein the use of a coin of a predetermined denomination is mandatoryfor initiating a call but which permits the use of coins of lower orhigher denomination for additional charges.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a coin gauge unitwherein the use of a coin of a predetermined denomination is mandatoryfor initiating a call and a coin of lower denomination previouslydeposited is not accepted until a coin of larger denomination isdeposited.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a coin gauge unitwhich may be readily substituted on existing coin collectors, for thestandard coin gauge, to provide a coin collector of the minimum dimeprepayment type.

A still further object of the invention is the provision in a coincollector of the minimum prepayment type, of a coin gauge unit wherein acoin of less denomination than the minimum initial charge, will not beaccepted but will remain in the coin slot where it may be retrieved bythe caller or accepted at a subsequent time.

The prepayment type of coin collectors for telephone pay stations now incommon use follow in general the structure of the coin collector shownand described in United States Patent 1,043,219 of O. F. Forsberg. Coincollectors of this type are constructed to give telephone service when anickel or a coin of larger denomination is deposited in the coin gaugeof the collector.

In those instances where it is desirable to make the initial charge aminimum of a dime, the present coin collector will accept the dime toinitiate the call but deposite of a dime will not be mandatory. It is,therefore, necessary to provide some means for converting the minimumnickel type of coin collector into a minimum dime type and it is withthis conversion means that the present invention is concerned.

The present invention contemplates a coin gauge applique unit which isintended to replace the standard coin gauge on telephone coin collectorsof the minimum nickel type wherein the nickel slot in the coin gauge istemporan'ly blocked until a dime or a quarter has been deposited toinitiate a call. tion, the nickel slot is provided with a shutter orgate which blocks the passage of a nickel but permits the coin to remainin view and so positioned that it may be retrieved by the calling party.

res atent flee asetsez Patented Aug. 27, 1957 the following detaileddescription when read in connec In the structure of this inven-Electrical and mechanical means are operatively asso- The invention willbe more clearly understood from tion with the following drawings ofwhich:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the device of this invention, in itsnormal position, that is with the receiver (not shown) on the switchhook and the electrical wiring deleted for the purpose of clarity.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the receiver (not shown)011 the hook and the nickel slot blocked.

Fig. 3 is an exploded schematic view in perspective of the structureshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the switch hookoperated structure disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the nickel slot with thegate out of the way to permit the nickel coin to pass.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but shows the nickel arrested bymeans of the gate which is moved under the nickel slot.

Fig. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram disclosing the electrical circuitemployed in the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The telephone coin collector to which the present invention isapplicable, is of the same general structure as that shown in O. F.Forsberg Patent 1,043,219. It is, therefore, not believed necessary todescribed or show this structure.

The present invention is primarily concerned with an applique unit fortelephone pay station coin collectors wherein by the use thereof, itwill be mandatory to de posit a coin of a larger denomination than anickel to initiate a call, but will permit the subsequent collection ofnickels to make up any additional charges.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 designates the top portion ofthe well known pay station telephone coin collector housing as shown inthe O. F. Forsberg Patent 1,043,219 heretofore referred to.

Mounted on the housing 10 by suitable means which are accessible onlyfrom the interior of the housing 10, is a base plate 11 upon which thevarious components which make up the coin gauge applique unit of thisinvention are mounted. The coin gauge per se comprises a housing 12provided with the usual coin slots 13, 14 and 15 for the reception ofnickels, dimes and quarters respectively, and is mounted on the basemember 16 which in turn is secured to the base plate 11. Pivotallymounted in the recesses 17, 18 and 19, on the common shaft 21), are themagnetized gates 21 and 21, 21 which are provided at their lower or freeends with trough-like projections 22 for the interception of coins offerrous metal but will permit the passage of coins of non-ferrous metal.The trough 22 on the gate 21', located in the recess 17 which isassociated with the nickel slot 13 in the housing 12, also serves toprevent the passage of a nickel when it is moved into position as shownin Fig. 6 by means which will hereinafter be described in detail inconnection with the operation of the device of this invention.

Rotatably mounted on the base plate 11 by means of the brackets 23 andZ4 is the longitudinally extending shaft 8H which is adapted to beactuated by means of the downwardly extending arm AR, the lower or freeend of which (not shown) is arranged to be mechanically connected to theusual switch hook arm in the housing so that the removal or replacementof the receiver RC on the hook will cause the shaft 25 to rotate eitherin a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. In Fig. 2, the positionof the shaft 8H indicates that the receiver is off the hook, thuspermitting the shaft to rotate counterclockwise under the influence ofthe springs SP and SF in cooperation with the armature A and the relayRL, while in Fig. l, the position of the shaft 8H indicates that thereceiver is on the hook which is the 3 normal or unoperated conditionprior to the lifting of the receiver and the depositing of a coin.

Located above the shaft SH and in spaced relation therewith and parallelthereto, is the shaft SH This shaft is pivotally mounted on theshouldered stud'24and is biased in a counterclockwise direction, asshown by the arrow in Fig. 3, by means of the coiled spring 26. On therighthand end of the shaft SH as viewed from the rear and shown in Figs.1, 2, 3 and 4, is a screw 27, the inner end of which bears against theflat spring member 28, the lower portion 29 of which is secured to theupper face of the shaft SH by means of'the screws 30 and 31. Adjacentthe opposite end of-the shaft SH and projecting forwardly-and at rightangles thereto and in substantially the same plane is the arm ARThe'free end 32 of this arm is in alignment with the gate 21' and isadapted to control the action of this gate ,as shown in detail in Figs.and 6.

Positioned on the end of'the shaft SI-I adjacent the arm AR is adownwardly depending spring-member 33, the free end of which isprovided'with an adjustable stud member 34. The stud 34 is in alignmentwith and is adapted to close the contact springs C and C when thereceiver RC, as shown in'Fig. 3,'is-on the-hook H and the arm AR is inits normal position as shown-in Figs. 1 and 3 withthe contact springs Copen as-shown in Fig. 3. The function of these springsin connection withthe operation of the device of this invention 'will hereinafter bedescribed in-detail. As shown, thecon tact spring assembly is providedon one of its members, with an upstanding ear 35 which is in engagementwith the end 36 on the offset arm 37 which is pivotally supported on thevertical post 38 at 39. The opposite end of the arm 37 passes under thegate 21' and extends across the slot 13 so that the initial deposit of anickel will cause the coin to strike this portion of the arm 37, causeit to tilt and raise the end 36 above the ear 35 on the contact assemblythereby closing the contactsand short-circuiting the dial to prevent theinitiating of a call by a nickel or a coin having a lesser denominationthat the minimum mandatory amount.

Associatedwith the contact assembly C is the pivoted arm AR which isconnected by thelink member 40-to the arm AR thereby permitting thecontactassembly C to open and the consequent removal of the dialshortcircuit, when the arm AR is actuated by'movement of the shaft SHProjecting from the loweredge of the arm AR and adjacent its free end,is a boss 41 which as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 under one condition isarranged to en gage one side of the L-shaped arm AR and in anothercondition to engage-the opposite side as shown in Fig. 2. The arm AR ispivotally supported on the post 42 by means of the pin 43 and has itsstraightend portion 44 underlying the arm AR as shown, and held incontact therewith by means of the spring '46. The opposite or bent overend portion 45 projects downwardly and is held in cooperative engagementwith the end 47 of annature A on the relay RL by means of the spring 48.One end of the spring 48 is secured to the end of the armature A at 47and the other end is secured to the bracket member 49 on the relaymounting bracket 50. Thus the end 44 on the arm AR will always be inengagement with the underside of the arm AR either on one side or theother of the boss 41 and the end 45 will be in engagement with the end47 of the armature A. Hence when the relay RL is energized, by theclosing of the contact C to permit line current to pass therethrough, bythe removal of the receiver from the switch hook which in turn permitsthe arm AR to rotate the shaft SH the armature A will be held operatedas shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

In practice the device of this invention will operate as follows:

With the device in its normal or operable position as shown in Figs. 1and 3, the lifting of the receiver RC from the hook'H releases the armAR and the combined forces of the springs SP and SP cooperating with thearmature A rotates the shaft SH in a counterclockwise direction. Thiscauses the closing of the contact C which permits line current toenergize the relay RL and hold the armature A in its operated positionas shown, at the same time the spring SP moves away from the armature Aand the stop 28 moves away from the screw 27 in the shaft SH Since thespring SP is longer than the spring SP the contact C will close beforethe spring SP releases its hold on the armature A.

When the coin of the minimum amount acceptable or a larger amount isdeposited, for example, a dime or a quarter, the relay RL is shuntedthereby releasing the armature A. The release of the armature A movesthe end 45 of the arm AR upwardly against the tension of the spring 48and the arm AR being pivoted at its midpoint on the pin 43 causes theend45'to'move downwardly thereby unlatching the arm AR fromthe end 44 ofthe arm AR thuspermitting theboss-41 to ride over the arm AR and assumethe position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Due to the pressure ofthe contact springs C and C and the coil spring26, the arm 'AR will immediately be restored to normal. This actionopens the nickel gate 21', opens the contacts C and C moves the end 36of the arm 37 out of contact with the car 35 on the contact spring Cthereby permitting the subsequent depo of a nickel which will operatethe contact springs with the boss 41 on the arm AR in contact with theopposite side of-the arm AR as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Thus thedepositing of nickels in addition to dimes and quarters will be acceptedbut the deposit of a nickel to initiate a call will cause the operationof the short-circuiting springs C and C and will not permit the call tobe initiated.

While l have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A coin gauge applique unit for telephone pay station coin collectorscomprising in combination, a coin gauge having a plurality of slotstherein for the reception of coins of different denominations, meansadjacent the lowest denomination coin slot for blocking said slot toprevent the passage of-a coin into-said slot and the subsequentacceptance of the coin deposited therein, and means actuated by'depositof a coin of a larger denomination in one of the remaining coin slots topermit an arrested coin in said lowest denomination slot to be releasedand accepted.

2.- A coin gauge applique unit for telephone pay station coin collectorscomprising in combination, a coin gauge having a plurality of coinreceiving slots therein, a gate mounted adjacent the lowest denominationcoin slot to provide a barrier therein for preventing the passage of acoin into said slot and the subsequent acceptance of the coin depositedtherein, and means in operative engagement with said gate for openingsaid gate to permit the coin to be accepted, said means operable by thedeposit of a coin of a larger denomination in one of the remaining coinslots.

3. A'coin gauge for telephone pay station coin collectors comprising incombination, a coin collector housing, a switch hook mounted in saidhousing, a telephone receiver operatively associated with said switchhook, a coin gauge mounted on the top of said housing, said coin gaugehaving therein a plurality of coin receiving slots for the reception ofcoins of different denomination, a gate pivotally mounted in the coinslot adaptedto receive the coin of lowest denomination, means inoperative engagement with said gate for maintaining said gate closed,said means operative by the removal of the receiver from the switchhook, and electromagnetic means operable by the depositing of a coin ofa larger denomination for opening said gate to permit the acceptance ofthe coin of lower denomination.

4. A coin gauge for telephone pay station coin collectors of the minimumdime initial rate comprising a coin gauge having therein a plurality ofcoin slots adapted to receive nickels, dimes and quarters, means in saidnickel slot for preventing the passage of a nickel into said slot andthe subsequent acceptance thereof, said means holding said coin in aretrievable position and removed by the depositing of either a dime orquarter in their respective slots whereby the nickel will be acceptedand subsequent nickels to make up additional charges, will be accepted.

5. A coin gauge applique unit for a telephone pay station coin collectorcomprising in combination a coin collector housing, a switch hookmounted in said housing, a telephone receiver operatively associatedwith said switch hook, a coin gauge having therein a plurality of slotsfor the reception of coins of difierent denominations, a gate pivotallymounted in one of said slots to provide a barrier therein for preventingthe acceptance of a coin deposited therein, a rotatable shaft connectedto said switch hook, a pivoted bar adjacent said shaft andin operableengagement therewith, an arm extending from said bar, the free endthereof in engagement with said gate, said rotatable shaft operated bythe removal of the receiver from the switch hook, to actuate said bar tocause said extending arm to engage and close said gate, andelectromagnetic means operable by the depositing of a coin of a largerdenomination for opening said gate to permit the acceptance of a coin oflower denomination.

6. A coin gauge applique unit for telephone pay station coin collectorscomprising in combination a coin collector housing, a switch hookmounted in said housing, a telephone receiver operatively associatedwith said switch hook, a coin gauge mounted on said housing and havingtherein slots for the reception of nickels, dimes and quarters, a gatepivotally mounted in said nickel slot to provide a barrier therein forpreventing the acceptance of a coin deposited therein, a rotatable shaftconnected to said switch hook, a pivoted bar adjacent said shaft and inoperable engagement therewith, an arm extending from said bar, the freeend thereof in engagement with the lower portion of said gate, saidrotatable shaft operated by the removal of the receiver from the switchhook to actuate said bar and said arm to cause the closing of said gate,and electromagnetic means operable by the depositing of a dime orquarter for opening said gate in said nickel slot to permit theacceptance of a nickel deposited therein.

Dewar June 16, 1953 Gallegher Apr. 6, 1954

